Manavgat Boat Tour Guide: River, Waterfall and Market in One Day

If you are staying in Side, a Manavgat boat tour is one of the easiest ways to spend a day away from the hotel. You cruise down the Manavgat River, which flows from the Taurus Mountains, through reed beds to a sandy beach where the river meets the Mediterranean. The day is rounded off with a visit to Manavgat Waterfall and, on market days, the Manavgat Bazaar.

This guide explains how the day works, what is included in the price, what to bring and the practical details worth knowing before you book.

What Is a Manavgat Boat Tour?

A Manavgat boat tour is a guided excursion of a little over half a day. It combines a river cruise, a swim stop by the sea, lunch on board, a visit to the waterfall and time at the local market. Return hotel transfers from the Side area are included, so you don't need a car or have to plan anything yourself.

What makes the trip worthwhile is seeing three very different landscapes in one day: the calm, green banks of the river, the beach where the river meets the sea, and Manavgat's lively local market.

Where Does the Tour Start? How Do Hotel Transfers Work?

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel in the Side area. The programme begins at around 09:00, so your pickup will be a little earlier. Your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, based on where you are staying. At the end of the day you are dropped back at your hotel; the return time can vary with traffic and the location of your hotel.

If you are staying in Alanya, central Antalya or Kemer, check on the tour page that your hotel is within the transfer area before you book.

How a Manavgat Boat Tour Works, Step by Step

Maxtoria offers two versions of the Manavgat boat tour. Both include the same stops; only the order and the time spent at each one differ.

Option 1: River and Sea First, Then the Waterfall and Market

Manavgat Boat Tour from Side: River, Waterfall and Market Day

1. Hotel pickup from the Side area.

2. River and sea boat trip (about 1.5 hours): the boat heads down the Manavgat River through the reeds all the way to the Mediterranean.

3. Swim stop (about 1 hour): a break on the narrow sandy beach between the river and the sea. Swim if you like, or simply relax on the sand.

4. Lunch on board (about 1 hour): grilled chicken, fresh salad and rice or bulgur.

5. Manavgat Waterfall (about 30 minutes): a short drive takes you to the waterfall. The entrance ticket is included.

6. Manavgat Market (about 1 hour): free time for shopping and a look around.

7. Return to your hotel.

Option 2: Starting the Day at the Waterfall

Manavgat Boat Tour from Side with Waterfall Ticket and Lunch

1. Hotel pickup

2. Manavgat Waterfall (45 minutes)

3. Transfer to the river pier (20 minutes)

4. River boat trip (40 minutes)

5. Swimming where the river meets the sea (1 hour)

6. Lunch on board (45 minutes)

7. Cruise back (30 minutes)

8. Transfer to the market (15 minutes) and Manavgat Market (1.5 hours)

9. Return to your hotel

Which one should you choose? If you would like to see the waterfall in the quieter morning hours and have more time at the market, Option 2 is the better fit. If you would rather head straight onto the boat and spend a little longer by the sea, go for Option 1.

The Manavgat River and the Point Where It Meets the Sea

For most people, the river cruise is the highlight. The boat moves slowly along the Manavgat River, whose banks are lined with reeds and greenery, leaving plenty of time to take in the scenery and take photos. Your guide shares information about the area along the way.

At the end of the cruise the river flows into the Mediterranean at a spot locally known as "Boğaz". Here a thin strip of sand separates the two: the calm river water on one side, the open sea on the other. The swim stop takes place on this beach.

Can You Swim on the Tour?

Yes. Both versions include a swim stop of about 1 hour. Swimming is optional: if you would rather not go in, you can relax on the beach or stay on the boat. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you don't lose time changing.

Is Manavgat Waterfall Part of the Tour?

Yes. Manavgat Waterfall is included in both versions, and the entrance ticket is included in the tour price. The waterfall sits on the Manavgat River and is known less for its height than for the wide curtain of water that spreads across the riverbed. The paths and viewpoints around it are ideal for photos. Depending on the version, you spend 30–45 minutes there.

Manavgat Market: Which Days Is It On?

The Manavgat Market is held on Mondays and Thursdays, so the market visit is planned around those days. Keep this in mind when you plan your holiday and try to book the tour for one of these two days.

At the market you will find fruit and vegetables, spices, textiles and local products. Shopping is not included in the tour price. Many stalls work in cash, so it helps to carry some Turkish lira.

Lunch and Drinks

Lunch is served on board and is included in the price. On one version the menu is grilled chicken, fresh salad and rice or bulgur. If you have dietary requirements (vegetarian, allergies and so on), mention them when you book.

Drinks are not included. You can buy them on the boat. Café purchases at the beach are also extra.

How Long Does the Tour Take?

The programme lasts about 6 hours and starts at around 09:00. Hotel pickup and drop-off time comes on top of that, depending on where you are staying and on traffic. In short, you leave in the morning and are back at your hotel in the afternoon.

What Is Included and What Is Not?

Included

• Return hotel transfer from the Side area

• Manavgat River and sea boat trip

• Lunch on board

• Manavgat Waterfall entrance ticket

• Guiding in Turkish and English

• Travel insurance (Option 2)

Not included

• Drinks on the boat

• Café purchases at the beach

• Market shopping and personal expenses

• Tips

What to Bring

• Swimsuit and towel

• Sunscreen and a hat

• Comfortable shoes (you will walk at the waterfall and the market)

• Cash in Turkish lira for drinks and shopping

• A waterproof phone pouch (optional but handy)

Who Is the Manavgat Boat Tour For?

• Families with children: calm river water, a gently shelving beach and a relaxed pace make it an easy day out with kids. Young children join for free and older children at a reduced rate (see the FAQ below).

• Couples and groups of friends: a balanced programme if you want nature, swimming and some shopping in one day.

• First-time visitors: seeing the river, the sea, the waterfall and the local market in one day is a practical way to get to know Manavgat.

If you are looking for an adrenaline-filled activity, this tour may feel too gentle. It is about scenery, swimming and relaxing.

Best Time for a Manavgat Boat Tour

Boat tours in Antalya generally run from spring to autumn. You will get the most out of the swim stop from June to September, when the sea is warm. July and August are very hot, so a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water are essential. May and October suit those who prefer to explore in milder weather. Check the calendar on the tour page to see whether the tour runs on your preferred date.

Good to Know Before You Book

• Payment: no prepayment is needed; you pay on the day of the tour.

• Cancellation: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts.

• Days: the market visit depends on the Monday and Thursday market days.

• Pickup time: confirmed after booking, based on your hotel.

• Transfer area: hotels in the Side area. If you are staying elsewhere, check first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Manavgat boat tour?

The programme takes about 6 hours and starts at around 09:00. Hotel transfer time is added on top.

Can you swim on the Manavgat boat tour?

Yes. There is a swim stop of about 1 hour on the beach where the river meets the sea. Swimming is optional.

Is Manavgat Waterfall included?

Yes. Both versions include the waterfall, and the entrance ticket is included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board. Drinks are paid for separately.

Which days is the Manavgat Market held?

Mondays and Thursdays. The tour with the market visit runs on these days.

How much do children pay?

It depends on the version. On one, ages 0–3 are free and ages 4–11 pay a reduced price; on the other, ages 0–5 are free and ages 6–11 pay a reduced price. From age 12, the adult price applies.

How much does the Manavgat boat tour cost?

You can see current adult and child prices on the tour pages. Payment is made on the day of the tour; no prepayment is required.

Can I join from Alanya or Antalya?

Both versions include transfers from hotels in the Side area. If you are staying elsewhere, check that your hotel is within the transfer area before you book.

Plan Your Day in Manavgat

A Manavgat boat tour lets you see the river, the sea, the waterfall and the local market in a single day, with no transport to arrange. Choose the version that suits you, match your date to the market days and book your place:

• Manavgat Boat Tour from Side: River, Waterfall and Market Day

• Manavgat Boat Tour from Side with Waterfall Ticket and Lunch

For more day trips you can take from Side, browse our Side tours.